pretty smoothly

USAGE SUMMARY

'pretty smoothly' is correct and can be used in both spoken and written English.
An example sentence might be: "We managed to transition to the new system pretty smoothly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Everything's been running pretty smoothly," he said.

The New York Times

In fact, by all accounts, the process went pretty smoothly.

The New Yorker

Until now, North Korea's leadership succession seemed to be going pretty smoothly.

The New York Times

"In general, we feel that this has gone pretty smoothly," he said.

The New York Times

"You want something that has the kick but goes down pretty smoothly".

The New York Times

Even the praises he sings to Bubbles go down pretty smoothly.

The Guardian - Books

There have been a few things but usually, surprisingly, it goes pretty smoothly.

The Guardian

All that's left is the negotiations, and even they go pretty smoothly.

The New York Times

Even Mayor Euille said, "Right now, other than some minor traffic hiccups, things seem to be going along pretty smoothly".

The New York Times

The global average temperature, if you average it over several years, is going up pretty smoothly, since the middle 1970s.

The Guardian

I have to say everything [today] went pretty smoothly, and it's nice to get it over with".

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pretty smoothly" to describe processes or actions that are progressing without significant problems or complications. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While "pretty smoothly" is acceptable, avoid using it excessively in a single piece of writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "quite smoothly" or "without a hitch" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pretty smoothly" primarily functions as an adverbial modifier, describing the manner in which an action or process is performed or unfolds. It modifies verbs, adverbs, or entire clauses to indicate ease and lack of significant complications. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

16%

Science

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pretty smoothly" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to describe the easy and uncomplicated progress of an action or event. It is considered grammatically correct and is frequently found in news, business, and general contexts. While widely accepted, diversifying your language by using synonyms such as "quite smoothly" or "without a hitch" can enhance your writing. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage, making it a reliable choice for expressing the idea of effortless progression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quite smoothly

Replaces "pretty" with "quite", maintaining the meaning of moderately smooth progress.

fairly smoothly

Substitutes "pretty" with "fairly", suggesting a similar level of smoothness.

relatively smoothly

Adds a sense of comparison, indicating smoothness relative to expectations or other situations.

rather smoothly

Replaces "pretty" with "rather", providing a slightly more formal tone.

very smoothly

Intensifies the smoothness, implying an exceptional level of ease.

without a hitch

Emphasizes the absence of any problems or interruptions.

without difficulty

Focuses on the lack of challenge or effort involved.

with ease

Highlights the effortless nature of the process.

like clockwork

Implies precision and regularity in the smooth progression.

without incident

Stresses the absence of any negative events or issues.

FAQs

How can I use "pretty smoothly" in a sentence?

You can use "pretty smoothly" to describe how a task, event, or process is progressing. For example, "The transition to the new software went "pretty smoothly"."

What phrases are similar to "pretty smoothly"?

Alternatives include "quite smoothly", "fairly smoothly", or "relatively smoothly". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "pretty smoothly" appropriate for formal writing?

While "pretty smoothly" is generally acceptable, for highly formal writing, consider using a more sophisticated alternative like "relatively smoothly" or describing the process as proceeding "without incident".

What does "pretty smoothly" emphasize in a description?

"Pretty smoothly" emphasizes the ease and lack of complications in a process, suggesting it is progressing without significant problems. Other words with similar meaning may emphasize the degree of smoothness.